Consistometer



Sept. 15, 1942. E. P. BOSTWICK CQNSISTOMETER Filed D60. 12, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 wv vm wNmNNN HNONWH m ham 8 MHNH E OH we me IJZ" LILLULKLYN INVENTOR E.P.8OSTWICK ATTORNEYS E. P. aosT-wlck 2,295,710

CONSISTOMETER Filed Dec. 12, 1941' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR E P .BOSTW|CK ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 15, 1942 CONSISTOMETER Elmer P. Bostwick, Oak Park, 111.; dedicated to I the-free use of the United States People in the territory of the Application December 12, 1941, Serial No. 422,706

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 2 Claims.

This application is made under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended by the act of April 30, 1928, and the invention herein described and claimed, it patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

I hereby dedicate the invention described to the free use of the People in the territory of the United States to take effect on the granting of a patent to me.

This invention relates to a device for determining the consistency of materials and it is especially useful in cases where it is necessary to make rapid consistency determinations, such as of the various fluid and semi-fluid processed fruits and vegetables, and similar products.

An embodiment of this invention is fully described hereinafter and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view; A

Figure 2 is a side elevational view;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section in part along the line 4-4 of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a partial section along the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, in which like numerals designate like parts, the device illustrated comprises an elongated container designated generally by the numeral ii having a horizontal bottom I2, side walls I! and I4, and end walls II and It. A fixed leg I! supports one end of the container near the wall It. An extended portion ll projects horizontally position and to hold it in this position against the action of the springs 30 and 3i. The other arm 31 of the lever is for use by the operator to move the arm 36 in and out of engagement with the top of the gate 25.

A scale 38, which may be in units of centimeters or some other convenient system, is inscribed or otherwise delineated on the fioor of section 24, the zero or reference line being at the gate end.

To use the instrument the gate 2! is lowered against the action of the springs 30' and 3i to from theother end wall it and carries leveling screws l9 and 20, which adjustably support the instrument at this end. Spirit levels 2| and 22 are mounted on the extension II in two ho izontal directions for indicating a level positmn.

The inside of the container Ii is divided into two sections 23 and 24. The section 23 at one end is normally separated from the other seetion 2l by means of a gate 25 slidably mounted in vertical guide slots 23 and," of hollow posts 23 and 28. The hollow spaces within said posts contain springs and 3|. the upper end of which abut fingers 32 and 33 laterally extending from and integral with the gate 23. x

A bracket 3| is secured to or integral with one of said posts. such as the post", upon which is pivoted a horizontal lever II. The lever 3| has a bent arm 33, the end of which is adapted to engage the top of the gate 2| when in a closed prevent the fiow of material from one section to the other and the arm 36 is engaged with the top .of the gate 25. The section 23 is then filled with the material to be tested after thoroughly mixing it to make certain that the consistency is uniform throughout. Tests should be made at a standard temperature, preferably 20 centlgrade. Accordingly. the material and the instrument should both be adjusted to the standard temperature before the test is made. The operating arm 31 is then moved to release the gate 23, which is forced up suddenly by the springs 30 and 3|. This permits the material in the section 23 to fiow into the section 24 over the scale". The maximum distance to which the material flows over the scale in a given period of time after the gate is opened is taken as'the index of the consistency of the material.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A consistometer comprising an elongated horizontal container having two longitudinally contiguous sections, a gate between said sections. one of said sections being adapted to be filled with a material, the consistency of which is to be determined, whereby when said gate is opened, the material will flow into the other section, positive means for suddenly opening said gate. and a scale delineated on the fioor of said other section, said scale extending longitudinally from said gate.

2. A consistometer comprising an elongated horizontal container having two longitudinally contiguous sections, a gate between said sections, one of said sections being adapted to be filled with a material when said gate is closed, the consistency of which material is to 'bedetermined, whereby when said gate is opened the material will fiow into the other section, for urging said gate to its open position, releasable means for holding said gate in a closed position against the action of said and a scale delineated on the fioor of said other section extending longitudinally from said gate.

ELMER. P. BOS'I'WICK.

yieldable means yieldable means, 

